Day Activities in Rome: Villa Torlonia Park

Going to the park is a Roman tradition. Because getting to the beach from the city isn't the easiest, even in the summer people tend to head to one of the many parks for the afternoon. With the warm weather we've been having this February in Rome, we've been checking out different parks each Sunday and it's become a really nice weekend tradition. Villa Torlonia is a beautiful park in Rome, with multiple museums, a restaurants, fountains and areas to sit in the beautifully landscaped park. 

An easy trip from the center of the city, Villa Torlonia is located off of Via Nomentana and is accessible by bus from Termini Station (bus #90). The entrance to the park has marble walls and many palm trees, differentiating it from the city directly outside those walls. As you walk along its paths, you come across the villa's many museums and cultural centers. On nice days, we give those a pass and continue on, past the fountains, ponds, and green areas that make up the rest of the park.

Villa Torlonia would be a great place for a large group, family outings or even a solo trip where you bring a book and lay in the sun. We've been bringing lunch inside, usually some kind of pre-made sandwiches or salad (but pizza to go would work just as well) and small bottles of wine/beer to enjoy a few hours outside the craziness of Rome. With a blanket, drinks, food and friends, it's the perfect weekend activity.

If you want to visit Villa Torlonia, it's open to the public all throughout the week, while there are also museums and a restaurant/bar inside the park.

For a special treat, I can highly recommend Guttilla, a gelato store across from the park on Via Nomentana for its amazing gelato and large cone size. There's nothing better than taking a gelato into the park for a walk on a nice day.